Stop Treating Coffee Like a Chore

Most of us start our day with coffee. “Most of us,” in this case, refers to the two out of three Americans who consume coffee on a daily basis. If you are one of us, chances are you already have your morning routine locked in. What does that look like for you? If I had to guess, it looks like the most efficient way to get the caffeine from the mug into your bloodstream. A means to an end.

I get it. We have places to be, deadlines to meet, responsibilities to attend to. However, I’d like to offer you a low-effort upgrade to set the tone for your 2026, if I may. 

I’ve been a bit of a self-proclaimed coffee snob for the better part of my adult life. The (very) small town where I attended college happened to have an outsize number of local roasters, giving me a taste of what coffee could be. I haven’t looked back since. 

Important clarification: my brand of snobbery has nothing to do with shaming others for their choices, but everything to do with my belief that most people are unaware that better choices are available–even easily accessible–to them. Similarly, I don’t care what brewing method you use. The best brewing method is the one that fits best into your routine while providing a consistently good cup (for me, a classic Chemex and a Fellow electric kettle). 

That said, the hill I am willing to die on is that you should stop buying coffee that is pre-ground, mass-produced, and found on a dusty grocery store shelf. You deserve better.

I can almost guarantee there are some coffee nerds in your area offering a nice selection of freshly roasted beans. A good sign that you’ve landed in the right place? Only whole-bean coffee will be sold. The flavor compounds in ground coffee degrade at a much faster rate than in whole-bean coffee. The friendly barista will likely offer to grind them for you on site if you don’t have a grinder at home (in which case, your next move should be to buy a grinder, and make it a burr grinder). 

This brings me to the moral of my story: buy the freshest beans you can find! The journey your coffee takes, from the plant to your mug, is a long one. There are myriad factors at play which can and do influence the final taste of your morning brew. As the consumer, you have little control over most of these factors, but taking a moment to check the roast date on the bag before purchasing can make a world of difference. (If the roast date is not clearly listed on the label – separate from the “best by” date, mind you – I will respectfully ask you to move on to the next coffee shop.) Try to buy beans that have been roasted in the last two to three weeks. This is the sweet spot between the sometimes sour notes that can be present immediately after roasting, and the significant decline in flavor after about a month. 

If you don’t have convenient access to a decent roaster in your area, if you’re overwhelmed with options, or if you simply can’t be bothered to go hunting for beans yourself, all is not lost. There are some great coffee subscription options out there. Whether you need a little help figuring out what flavor profiles you prefer, or you’re looking to try some funky roasts from lesser-known producers, these subscriptions will help you start your day on a better note, with a better brew.

This subscription delivers beans from all over the globe, along with some background on the country of origin and tasting notes for each month’s roast. It’s customizable regarding grind size and quantity delivered each month–there is even a 6-ounce bag option, which is a low-commitment way to get a taste of a wide variety of beans.

Join the Atlas Coffee Club.

Partnering with dozens of independent roasters in the US, Trade is committed to high standards of quality. Before subscribing, take a brief quiz to make sure the coffee delivered to you suits your preferences and needs.

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Looking for the best of the best? Podium partners exclusively with roasters that have won awards at various coffee competitions across the US. While you’re subscribing, sign up for Podium Flash–they’ll text you alerts about super limited coffee releases so you can be the first to get your hands on them.

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